Standing Figure of Prudence and a Seated River God 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this drawing of Prudence and a River God using pen and brown wash over black chalk. Tiepolo, working in 18th century Venice, navigated a world of aristocratic patronage and the rigid expectations of the church. This drawing hints at those expectations. We see Prudence, traditionally allegorized as feminine, standing with a mirror, symbolizing wisdom and foresight. Beside her is a seated river god. Figures like these were standard in Tiepolo’s time. His patrons would have wanted clear messaging and recognized symbols. However, the artist’s skillful execution is anything but standard. The drawing emphasizes the tension between established norms and the artist's own interpretation. The loose, fluid lines bring an energy to the composition. Perhaps Tiepolo is nudging against the confines of societal and artistic expectations, infusing the classical with a vibrant, personal expression. This balance of constraint and freedom is fascinating and it is palpable in the emotional depth of the piece.